INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Six policemen were killed while eight others were wounded in a firefight with New People’s Army insurgents in Baggao, Cagayan province on Tuesday morning.
Initial reports said some 40 armed rebels ambushed the group of Regional Public Safety Battalion members at Barangay (village) Sta. Margarita around 10 a.m.
The fatalities were identified as PO1 Anan, PO1 Bautista, PO1 Sumiko, PO1 Alfonso, PO1 Soriano and PO1 Aspiros.
Those wounded in action were Senior Inspector Acain, Senior Inspector Cabansi, PO1 Layugan, PO1 Camaruan, PO1 Cabildo, PO1 Gesto, PO3 Gacias and PO1 Balunsat.
“There is an aerial support now on the ground and reinforcement by now perhaps has already reached the area,” Interior Secretary Mel Sarmiento said in a phone interview.
A report from the Philippine National Police said that as of 3:48 p.m., the RPSB team led by Senior Inspector Urani withdrew from the encounter site with the casualties.
Sarmiento said he and PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez will fly to Cagayan early Wednesday morning to check on the situation.
Chief Superintendent Ranier Idio, Director of the Cagayan Valley Region police, said the Philippine Air Force sent two UH1H helicopter gunships to help evacuate the wounded personnel.
The commander of the 502nd Brigade of the Philippine Army has also fielded troops from the 17th Infantry Battalion reinforce the beleaguered police troops.
Idio said hot pursuit operations are being conducted by troops from the RPSB and Cagayan Provincial Public Safety Company. TVJ